DELIVERY OF U-2 AIRCRAFT TO NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00170R000200280001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 29, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 27, 1982
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/05/29: CIA-RDP90B00170R000200280001-2
27AUGt98
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
VIA Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBJECT Delivery of U-2 Aircraft to National Air
& Space Museum
1. This memorandum contains two options for the DDCI.
These are contained in the final paragraph.
2. As an outgrowth of the stated objective of the
former DDCI to examine the possibilities for declassifying
portions of the U-2 Program, I recommended to him in December,
1981 that a surplus U-2 be provided to the Air & Space Museum
for public exhibition. The Museum had been trying for several.
years to obtain a U-2, and their reception of the idea was
very favorable, as was that of the former Chief of Air Staff
whose concurrence was received in January, 1982.
3. Funding for rehabilitation of the aircraft was joint-
ly provided by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and Pratt &
Whitney Group of United Technologies. Preservation rework
began in July and the aircraft itself, together with a J-57
engine, is now en route to Washington where the aircraft will
be reassembled and exhibited at the Paul E. Garber Facility
of the Air 9 Space Museum in Silver Hill, Maryland. Reassembly
should be complete by Labor Day.
4. At one time it had been planned, with the former
DDCI's concurrence, to fly the aircraft to Andrews AFB from
California, and to have a presentation ceremony there which
would have involved principal Air Force and Agency officials
and selected members of Congress. Flying the aircraft back
involved too many considerations of liability and expense to
make this plan feasible. A formal turnover ceremony at the
Garber Facility was then projected but steps were not taken
to implement it.
5. In view of the imminent arrival, assembly and display
of the aircraft, there appear to be two courses of action
that might be followed, as far as the Agency's participation
in the actual presentation is concerned. These are:
(A) Simply allow the aircraft to go on display without
any formal presentation ceremony at ali.The Air &
Space Museum people have no hard and fast rules re-
quiring ceremonies, but would cooperate if-one is
desired.
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(B) Have a brief ceremony at the Garber Facility, with
the Agency represented by former employees and Air
Force represented by personnel from RDPJ in the Pen-
tagon, which is the Project Office for U-2s and
SR-71s, and with whom the aircraft release and pre-
servation has been coordinated since early this
year. I also propose a brief press statement, to
be coordinated with Air Force and the Museum officials,
which would focus primarily on the history of this
particular aircraft (Article 347, the seventh built)
and giving general aircraft performance characteristics,
95% of which are already in the public domain.
No matter which course of action is'chosen, the time will
come when the media will make enquiries of the Agency regarding
the U-2 on exhibit. I will be glad to work with the Public Affairs
Office in developing an information sheet that would, in turn
be coordinated with the Director of Security and with RDPJ
personnel in the Pentagon.
STAT
OPTION 5 (A) Approved Disapproved
OPTION 5 (B) Approved Disapproved
Deputy Director of.Central Intelligence
Approved For Release 2008/05/29: CIA-RDP90BOO170R000200280001-2